England's World Cup Opening XIs Ranked: The Golden Generation Still Reigns Supreme

As Thomas Tuchel finalises his thinking ahead of England's World Cup curtain-raiser, it's worth casting an eye back at how his predecessors have approached that crucial first fixture. Some got it spot on; others, not so much.

Here's our definitive ranking of England's opening-game elevens at the World Cup since 2000, based on a rigorous methodology combining scientific analysis with generous dollops of hindsight and pure vibes.

6) England 1-1 USA – 2010

Fabio Capello's team selection unravelled spectacularly in South Africa. Rob Green's inclusion looked sensible enough on paper until the goalkeeper contrived to let Clint Dempsey's feeble effort slip through his fingers before the break – a howler that would haunt him all tournament.

The selection headaches didn't end there. James Milner was withdrawn at the half-hour mark, clearly short of match fitness following a virus, while Ledley King's surprise inclusion after three years away from international football lasted only 45 minutes before a groin injury ended both his tournament and his England career.

Capello's desperate tinkering for the Algeria match saw Jamie Carragher replace King, David James come in for Green, and Gareth Barry shuffle into midfield with Steven Gerrard drifting left. The result? A soulless 0-0 that made the USA performance look positively thrilling.

5) England 1-2 Italy – 2014

England's only defeat in a World Cup opener this century, yet Roy Hodgson's gamble to start 19-year-old Raheem Sterling ahead of Adam Lallana initially won supporters over. The display against Italy was genuinely encouraging, even if the attacking shape looked decidedly wonky – Sterling in the number 10 role meant Wayne Rooney shifted left while Danny Welbeck shuffled right.

Sterling shone in that central berth, though Hodgson's response was to move him to the wing for the Uruguay fixture, shoving Rooney back into the middle. Neither adjustment worked. England lost 2-1 and were heading home before the knockout stage.

4) England 2-1 Tunisia – 2018

Gareth Southgate's decision to persist with Raheem Sterling – then 983 days without an international goal – raised eyebrows across the nation. The Manchester City man lasted less than an hour before Southgate withdrew him, sticking stubbornly with his three-at-the-back experiment despite its proven inability to break down compact defences.

Enter Harry Kane, who delivered a dramatic late winner, his "goalscoring fraud" credentials firmly intact. Sterling retained his place for the Panama match while Dele Alli made way for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, though that proved temporary. Remarkably, Southgate made no further alterations to his starting XI until the semi-final defeat to Croatia.

3) England 1-1 Sweden – 2002

Sven Goran Eriksson's selection against his homeland threw up some curious decisions. Danny Mills at right-back – Gary Neville was injured – and he was culpable for Sweden's equaliser. Emile Heskey occupied the left wing while Michael Owen and Darius Vassell partnered up front, a pairing that rendered England's direct play toothless.

Sweden dominated the second half, and England's draw felt fortunate. Eriksson's substitutions – Joe Cole for Vassell, Kieron Dyer for a half-fit David Beckham – changed little. His next-game reshuffle, introducing Nicky Butt and shifting Paul Scholes left, proved equally ineffective.

2) England 6-2 Iran – 2022

The BBC reckoned Southgate's only mildly contentious call was selecting Bukayo Saka over Phil Foden. Time has rendered that assessment rather quaint – Saka has since become a fixture while Mason Mount has vanished from the picture entirely.

Saka justified his selection with a brace, but all eyes were on Jude Bellingham. The Dortmund teenager's performance had commentators losing their minds, with Jermaine Jenas comparing him to a hybrid of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Southgate kept faith for the USA draw, though Foden muscled his way back in for the knockout stages as Jordan Henderson replaced Mount to provide ballast.

1) England 1-0 Paraguay – 2006

Despite possessing the Golden Generation at his disposal, Eriksson's Paraguay XI somehow epitomises the paradox of English football: magnificent on paper, disappointing in practice. England dominated the opening period and led through a set-piece before inexplicably backing off, allowing Paraguay to sense an opening.

Michael Owen was subdued and departed for Stewart Downing early in the second half. Eriksson tinkered again for Trinidad, introducing Jamie Carragher for Gary Neville at right-back, yet England were unconvincing until Rooney and Aaron Lennon emerged from the bench and the system shifted to 3-5-2.

It's a fitting metaphor for the lot: the squad that looked unbeatable on the teamsheet somehow never quite translated that talent into performances that matched the hype.

Still, as any England supporter knows, looking good on paper is half the battle.